On the sodden turf Gordon, 34, sank to knees that had once threatened to compromise his career as he clutched the match ball to his chest before ref Bobby Madden blew the final whistle.

He had repelled Aberdeen’s last attack, just as he had on several occasions throughout the game to deny the Dons their own date with destiny.

Gordon has never shrunk from accepting a challenge and it’s entirely fitting he was rewarded for turning around a career that looked in serious jeopardy when injury saw him cut from Sunderland in the summer of 2012.

He spent two years on the outside looking in, even accepting a coaching post with his pal Ian Murray at Dumbarton, but refused to give in on his hopes of returning to the big time.

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Gordon’s self-belief was rewarded as he joined a select breed of Celtic players to have played in a domestic grand slam after a season in which they have gone 47 domestic games undefeated.

He said: “I’m doing myself justice now, ‘Craig Gordon, it’s just a shame that... ’ That was close – to come back and achieve something like this, I could never have hoped for it.

“At one point I was just hoping I could get another game of football under my belt but to go and play in an undefeated season with three cups? You simply can’t get any better.

“I couldn’t even have dreamed of this in September when I was out of the team and playing behind Dorus de Vries. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster even this season, to fight my way back.

Gordon in action for Scotland at Hampden (Image: SNS Group)

“However, every time I’ve been asked to do it I’ve managed to respond. It’s a great achievement – one I’m very happy about – and I’m sure I’ll remember this season for the rest of my days.

“It’s the best feeling ever. How do you go about beating this, an undefeated season and three trophies? We couldn’t have done a great deal more. To be a part of that is something very special and something I’ll always remember.

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“How do we better this? With great difficulty. We have to try to go into Europe and do even better. To qualify for the next stage would be an improvement and also try to do this all again.”

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Gordon had only picked the ball from the net once in four previous games with Aberdeen during the season – De Vries played in the 4-1 win in August – but had his work cut out at the National Stadium.

He was helpless when Jonny Hayes slotted the Dons in front but pulled off decent stops from Niall McGinn, Kenny McLean and Graeme Shinnie and provided a safe pair of hands when the Dons launched their last, desperate Hail Mary into his box after Tom Rogic’s goal.

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It’s Gordon second Cup success – his first in 2006 was achieved with boyhood favourites Hearts when they defeated Gretna in a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw. He saved a spot-kick from Derek Townsley before Gretna midfielder Gavin Skelton shot over the bar after Steven Pressley, Robbie Neilson, Rudi Skacel and Michal Pospisil all netted from 12 yards for the Jambos.

Gordon said: “This was probably more exciting. It would have been a good game for the neutral to watch as it was very open and dramatic, with thunder and lightning.

“I’ve heard there was a bolt of lightning in the sky when Tom scored the winner. If somebody has got that picture it would be priceless.”